If there was any question of whether or not economist Douglas Allen - the final supposed expert witness for the State of Michigan in the pending federal court case challenging Michigan's ban on same sex marriage - is anti-gay, Allen made his view perfectly clear that he believes gays are going to Hell. Hopefully, the court will see Allen for what he is and disregard his testimony which like that of Mark Regnerus is based on religious belief rather than legitimate study. When one knows the conclusions one wants to reach, it is easy to manipulate data to reach the preordained conclusion. It's been the Christofascist approach to "research" for decades. Here are highlights from the Detroit Free Press:
Michigan’s gay marriage trial ended on an explosive note today, with the state’s final witness saying he believes unrepentant homosexuals are going to hell.
His views emerged following a question from plaintiffs attorney Ken Mogill, who is fighting to overturn Michigan’s ban on gay marriage.
“Is it accurate that you believe the consequence of engaging in homosexual acts is a separation from God and eternal damnation?” Mogill asked the state’s expert, then added, “in other words, they’re going to hell?”
“Without repentance, yes,” answered the expert, Canadian economist Douglas Allen, the last witness to testify on behalf of the state in a trial that could make Michigan the 18th state to legalize gay marriage.
Allen, who has testified in three other same-sex marriage trials, was the last witness to testify in the nine-day-long trial in which two lesbian nurses are seeking to overturn the state’s ban on gay marriage. The state is fighting to uphold the ban, arguing voters have already spoken on this issue and that their decision should stand.
But the plaintiffs argue the ban is unconstitutional and are fighting to reverse it so that they can marry and adopt each other’s children.
The trial has focused largely on the outcomes of children raised in same-sex families. The state has argued that children thrive best when raised by married moms and dads. The plaintiffs have countered that there is no evidence to show that children raised in same-sex households fare better or worse than those raised by heterosexuals.
For the last week, the plaintiffs have tried to attack the credibility of the state’s witnesses by pointing out their religious views and getting them to admit their views on gay marriage. All four of the state’s witnesses said they believed Michigan should refrain from reversing its ban and said their research was based on numbers, not views. Closing arguments are set for Friday at 10 a.m.
Like each of the other federal court cases considering state same sex marriage bans, Michigan's defense ultimately comes down to testimony of fraudulent researchers who display open religious based animus towards gays and claims that mob majority rule should determine the rights of minorities. As for Hell, if it exists, in my view it is Allen, Regnerus and those like them who will be inhabiting it. A piece that rips Allen's views apart and describes his "research" as worthless can be found here.
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